Oh my goodness, the little kids were so amazingly cute. I love watching them watch us. They're all so serious. Would be interesting to know what their little minds are thinking. One of the boys looked like a miniature Ed Grimley, but was somehow able to make that look completely adorable. And one of the little girls looked like Cindy Lou Hoo.
What a wonderful treat it was to see Tom again! Haven't seen that boy in about 4 years. Didn't have nearly enough time to catch up, but it was nice to chit and chat again.
Ilene, of course was there and we tried to do her favorite "Scotch and Soda". Still needs some work on my part of things, but it'll get there. It is a neat little song and I'm glad that she requested it. The bulk of our repertoire comes from requests. If we don't know it, we'll learn it.
Here's an odd thing...well, it's odd to me ~ I saw 2 women sporting the same look. That's not the odd part, it was the look that they were sporting. Flip flops. Keep in mind that it's February in Cleveland. They both were wearing long pants and winter coats that were buttoned up tight. Neither of their feet appeared to have issues that would require flops instead of shoes. Guess it's kind of the same concept as wearing shorts and a sweatshirt, which I've done...so never mind.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Burntwood Tavern, Brecksville - 2/14/13
Happy Valentines Day!
It was interesting to me to see the variety of people who go out for Valentines Day. Of course, there were tons of couples, but also groups of girls, couples on a double date, guys buddied up together who seemed to be "out of touch" with women, groups of friends, and oddly enough there were a couple of loners, although I'm thinking that those boys were probably regulars and they were not going to let a thing like Valentines Day come between them and their beverage(s).
I felt bad that we didn't have many romantic songs, but most Blues and Rock songs are all about pain and suffering. No one seemed to care, especially the couple who got up and danced. I specified that they got up to dance, because we had some chair dancers, which is fine with us. Enjoy the music however you want, just enjoy!
If you haven't ventured out to the newest Burntwood Tavern (4th in a series), you should make a point to go. Good atmosphere, wonderful service, and they have some great happy hour specials. We were happy.
It was interesting to me to see the variety of people who go out for Valentines Day. Of course, there were tons of couples, but also groups of girls, couples on a double date, guys buddied up together who seemed to be "out of touch" with women, groups of friends, and oddly enough there were a couple of loners, although I'm thinking that those boys were probably regulars and they were not going to let a thing like Valentines Day come between them and their beverage(s).
I felt bad that we didn't have many romantic songs, but most Blues and Rock songs are all about pain and suffering. No one seemed to care, especially the couple who got up and danced. I specified that they got up to dance, because we had some chair dancers, which is fine with us. Enjoy the music however you want, just enjoy!
If you haven't ventured out to the newest Burntwood Tavern (4th in a series), you should make a point to go. Good atmosphere, wonderful service, and they have some great happy hour specials. We were happy.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Giant Eagle, North Olmsted - 2/8/13
Looks like we're on the grocery store circuit, which is fine by us, it's just a little odd sounding that a band would be playing in a grocery store.
Giant Eagle in North Olmsted recently added their "dining under the tower" to their many perks. Six different wines and six different food items for $6 from 6-8pm every Friday.
We were set up right next to the first tasting station that had a yummy beef item and the perfect paring of one of their featured red wines.
Joani and Little Pat came out to support us, although not together, but they did kibitz with each other, which was nice to see. Jake's friends ventured out as well and stayed for a bit.
Quite a few people had the same look of "what the what?" when they walked in and saw us, but quickly recovered and hung out at the tasting tables to listen while they sampled the food and wine.
There was a couple with their cute little girl, who was about two-ish, give or take an ish and their infant daughter who slept through the whole thing (not sure if that meant we were boring or soothing). The older of the 2 girls decided that dancing/running would be way more fun than sitting in the cart and off she went. Took her a while to get to that stage...she kind of had the deer in the headlights look right at first since it was probably the first live music she witnessed, much less having that experience in a grocery store. Little kids are way better at getting through the processing part and then on to the fun part than adults seem to be.
One little boy was trailing his parents and as they passed us he put his hands over his ears. Of course it was during one of my songs, so I was torn between being amused and having my feelings hurt. I opted for being amused.
Giant Eagle in North Olmsted recently added their "dining under the tower" to their many perks. Six different wines and six different food items for $6 from 6-8pm every Friday.
We were set up right next to the first tasting station that had a yummy beef item and the perfect paring of one of their featured red wines.
Joani and Little Pat came out to support us, although not together, but they did kibitz with each other, which was nice to see. Jake's friends ventured out as well and stayed for a bit.
Quite a few people had the same look of "what the what?" when they walked in and saw us, but quickly recovered and hung out at the tasting tables to listen while they sampled the food and wine.
There was a couple with their cute little girl, who was about two-ish, give or take an ish and their infant daughter who slept through the whole thing (not sure if that meant we were boring or soothing). The older of the 2 girls decided that dancing/running would be way more fun than sitting in the cart and off she went. Took her a while to get to that stage...she kind of had the deer in the headlights look right at first since it was probably the first live music she witnessed, much less having that experience in a grocery store. Little kids are way better at getting through the processing part and then on to the fun part than adults seem to be.
One little boy was trailing his parents and as they passed us he put his hands over his ears. Of course it was during one of my songs, so I was torn between being amused and having my feelings hurt. I opted for being amused.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Mustard Seed - 2/2/13
Well, it's Groundhog Day....again.
Glad to be back at the Mustard Seed after a long leave of absence!
Talked with a lot of people at this one (between sets and after the gig). Everyone we talked with seemed to like our music.
Our new friend, Mark came there on a whim and ended up staying for the duration.
And oh guess what, I saw East Side Chuck. Guess this would make him South Side Chuck. Would really like to know where he's from since we see him quite often in Beachwood. Didn't get to talk to him, because we were upstairs in the middle of a set and he was downstairs making his way to the checkout. I'll just have to wait until we see him again in Beachwood. Hey, maybe he's our following!
The other thing we saw was a heron, but not at the gig. Mudcat spotted him on the way home flying south through a blizzard. At least he was headed in the right direction. Perhaps the warmer weather fooled him into sticking around longer or coming back early.
Glad to be back at the Mustard Seed after a long leave of absence!
Talked with a lot of people at this one (between sets and after the gig). Everyone we talked with seemed to like our music.
Our new friend, Mark came there on a whim and ended up staying for the duration.
And oh guess what, I saw East Side Chuck. Guess this would make him South Side Chuck. Would really like to know where he's from since we see him quite often in Beachwood. Didn't get to talk to him, because we were upstairs in the middle of a set and he was downstairs making his way to the checkout. I'll just have to wait until we see him again in Beachwood. Hey, maybe he's our following!
The other thing we saw was a heron, but not at the gig. Mudcat spotted him on the way home flying south through a blizzard. At least he was headed in the right direction. Perhaps the warmer weather fooled him into sticking around longer or coming back early.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Whole Foods, Beachwood - 1/25/13
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAKE!
And not just any birthday....his 21st. That's huge. Well, technically it was his birthday eve, but it still counts.
So, we were just getting started with setting up and Jake gets a call from his neighbor that the police are at his house. Yikes! Turns out that someone tried to break in, but only made it as far as opening the sliding door...opening it just enough to let their 2 labradoodles and 1 border collie out. Can you imagine the look on the would-be robbers face when he saw those dogs? And then the look on his face as he's running away with 3 giant crazed dogs on his tail and it dawns on him that he should have slammed the door closed first before he took off.
Thankfully, nothing was taken and the neighbors retrieved the dogs. As far as I know, the stupid robber got away.
We were asked to sing happy birthday to Jen, but had to wait until she showed up. The plan was that the girls would give us the signal and we would do our best to embarrass Jen. Made it through the entire 2 hours without the signal, so we figured that Jen decided to do something else on her birthday and we started to tear things down. Just then we hear a group of people "singing" happy birthday to Jen. We were not about to turn things back on to join in.
As always, there was a wee one who just had to dance, but was oh so too very shy about it. Her mom kept encouraging her to come over by us and dance so that she could video the event, rather than just watching her daughter being a delight. Ah...technology...forever changing the course of memorable moments.
And not just any birthday....his 21st. That's huge. Well, technically it was his birthday eve, but it still counts.
So, we were just getting started with setting up and Jake gets a call from his neighbor that the police are at his house. Yikes! Turns out that someone tried to break in, but only made it as far as opening the sliding door...opening it just enough to let their 2 labradoodles and 1 border collie out. Can you imagine the look on the would-be robbers face when he saw those dogs? And then the look on his face as he's running away with 3 giant crazed dogs on his tail and it dawns on him that he should have slammed the door closed first before he took off.
Thankfully, nothing was taken and the neighbors retrieved the dogs. As far as I know, the stupid robber got away.
We were asked to sing happy birthday to Jen, but had to wait until she showed up. The plan was that the girls would give us the signal and we would do our best to embarrass Jen. Made it through the entire 2 hours without the signal, so we figured that Jen decided to do something else on her birthday and we started to tear things down. Just then we hear a group of people "singing" happy birthday to Jen. We were not about to turn things back on to join in.
As always, there was a wee one who just had to dance, but was oh so too very shy about it. Her mom kept encouraging her to come over by us and dance so that she could video the event, rather than just watching her daughter being a delight. Ah...technology...forever changing the course of memorable moments.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Whole Foods, University Hts - 1/12/13
She's baaaack....
The new year started off right at Whole Foods, which is one of our favorite places to play.
We got to ham it up in our usual spot by the deli (get it ~ ham it up...at the deli), but they've added some items since the last time we were there. One of those items would be dried mushrooms. There was either a cooking show on that morning that aired an amazing recipe calling for dried mushrooms or people were laboring under the illusion that these were magic mushrooms. Oh, I crack my self up....illusion...magic mushrooms. That one I wasn't even trying for. Anyway, I digress. There had to have been at least 4 people who were not leaving without some of those mushrooms. And of course, they had to have them the second after we started setting up. One guy waited to make his way to the shrooms after we were set up and did a delicate balancing act over Mudcat's foot board. And there was a woman who at first appeared to be watching us after we started playing, but her attention kept going to those stinkin' mushrooms. Since we never moved so that she could swoop in and snag up a carton, she eventually moved on.
There were a lot of familiar faces, including Ilene, our "Scotch and Soda" gal.
And lots of little kids who either love us or hate us. It's pretty funny that the ones who can't talk yet can sure get those feelings across. Fortunately, more of them liked us than not. Some were even dancing and clapping, but doing it all shy-like in between their parents or while hiding behind them.
Super duper good to see Betty again! So glad that you could make it out.
Well, that's about it for this gig. Tune in after the 25th when we'll be at the Whole Foods in Beachwood, or better yet just come out there for the 5x7. It's a sampling of five different food items and five different wines for $5.00 from 5:00 - 7:00pm. Not a bad deal at all. Plus you can do your grocery shopping while you snack and drink.
The new year started off right at Whole Foods, which is one of our favorite places to play.
We got to ham it up in our usual spot by the deli (get it ~ ham it up...at the deli), but they've added some items since the last time we were there. One of those items would be dried mushrooms. There was either a cooking show on that morning that aired an amazing recipe calling for dried mushrooms or people were laboring under the illusion that these were magic mushrooms. Oh, I crack my self up....illusion...magic mushrooms. That one I wasn't even trying for. Anyway, I digress. There had to have been at least 4 people who were not leaving without some of those mushrooms. And of course, they had to have them the second after we started setting up. One guy waited to make his way to the shrooms after we were set up and did a delicate balancing act over Mudcat's foot board. And there was a woman who at first appeared to be watching us after we started playing, but her attention kept going to those stinkin' mushrooms. Since we never moved so that she could swoop in and snag up a carton, she eventually moved on.
There were a lot of familiar faces, including Ilene, our "Scotch and Soda" gal.
And lots of little kids who either love us or hate us. It's pretty funny that the ones who can't talk yet can sure get those feelings across. Fortunately, more of them liked us than not. Some were even dancing and clapping, but doing it all shy-like in between their parents or while hiding behind them.
Super duper good to see Betty again! So glad that you could make it out.
Well, that's about it for this gig. Tune in after the 25th when we'll be at the Whole Foods in Beachwood, or better yet just come out there for the 5x7. It's a sampling of five different food items and five different wines for $5.00 from 5:00 - 7:00pm. Not a bad deal at all. Plus you can do your grocery shopping while you snack and drink.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
5/26 - Park Tavern
We have a new best friend, Bill.
According to Bill his own self, he was a drinker at age ten, so I'm thinkin' he was a bad boy, but not in the leather jacket wearing/motorcycle riding sense. Told us that he had been downtown for the rib cook off, got kicked out of one place (just one?, I asked), was on his way home and got lost, so he stopped in and then heard us playing and decided to stay. I like how he could find his way to Cleveland, but not back to his own house. I asked him where he lived and he told me Litchfield....the Park Tavern is in North Royalton. He didn't seem too concerned when I told him that he was no where close to home. But he told the bartender that his friend dropped him off there and that he would be back to pick him up later.
It was MUCH later when he left. Our new friend, Bill was exhausting.
He was so stupid drunk that the bartenders refused to serve him, except for water and I noticed that he was the only one drinking from a plastic cup. Even the people who were going to or coming from the patio had glass glasses.
He was constantly in our faces doing air guitar, directing us, talking to us, singing along, and dancing (well, his version of singing and dancing). When I was singing Leaving On a Jet Plane, he actually acted out the song like a little kid. He put his arms across his chest to hug himself during the words "hold me like you'll never let me go" and when it got to the chorus, he started doing the airplane thing with his arms out and buzzing around the bar. It was amusing for about 3 seconds.
After we were done, I headed over to the bathroom (I know you've missed the bathroom stories) and these 2 girls come out of the only stall, which was giant and apparently had a sound proof door so that they had to be in there together to chat with one another....anyway, they looked like they're about 12 years old, which made me wonder if I have reached the age where everyone under 30 looks like a teenager, and one of them tells me that I should be really careful if I go in there because the bathroom toilet is almost overflowing. Okay, really...we have to use the word bathroom as an adjective for toilet???? I suppose if we were in the country, that would make sense so that I would know it wasn't the outhouse toilet or if we were camping I would know that it wasn't the port-o-potty toilet. So, that alone convinced me that they really were 12 years old and had really good fake ID's. I took one look in the stall and decided to head back out and I told them that they should tell the bartender. I watched them stroll back to their spots at the bar, pick up their drinks and continue their conversation even though the bartender was right in front of them. So, I called her over and told her about the bathroom toilet.
When we left I made Mudcat stop at the nearest gas station. Aren't you glad I share these things?
According to Bill his own self, he was a drinker at age ten, so I'm thinkin' he was a bad boy, but not in the leather jacket wearing/motorcycle riding sense. Told us that he had been downtown for the rib cook off, got kicked out of one place (just one?, I asked), was on his way home and got lost, so he stopped in and then heard us playing and decided to stay. I like how he could find his way to Cleveland, but not back to his own house. I asked him where he lived and he told me Litchfield....the Park Tavern is in North Royalton. He didn't seem too concerned when I told him that he was no where close to home. But he told the bartender that his friend dropped him off there and that he would be back to pick him up later.
It was MUCH later when he left. Our new friend, Bill was exhausting.
He was so stupid drunk that the bartenders refused to serve him, except for water and I noticed that he was the only one drinking from a plastic cup. Even the people who were going to or coming from the patio had glass glasses.
He was constantly in our faces doing air guitar, directing us, talking to us, singing along, and dancing (well, his version of singing and dancing). When I was singing Leaving On a Jet Plane, he actually acted out the song like a little kid. He put his arms across his chest to hug himself during the words "hold me like you'll never let me go" and when it got to the chorus, he started doing the airplane thing with his arms out and buzzing around the bar. It was amusing for about 3 seconds.
After we were done, I headed over to the bathroom (I know you've missed the bathroom stories) and these 2 girls come out of the only stall, which was giant and apparently had a sound proof door so that they had to be in there together to chat with one another....anyway, they looked like they're about 12 years old, which made me wonder if I have reached the age where everyone under 30 looks like a teenager, and one of them tells me that I should be really careful if I go in there because the bathroom toilet is almost overflowing. Okay, really...we have to use the word bathroom as an adjective for toilet???? I suppose if we were in the country, that would make sense so that I would know it wasn't the outhouse toilet or if we were camping I would know that it wasn't the port-o-potty toilet. So, that alone convinced me that they really were 12 years old and had really good fake ID's. I took one look in the stall and decided to head back out and I told them that they should tell the bartender. I watched them stroll back to their spots at the bar, pick up their drinks and continue their conversation even though the bartender was right in front of them. So, I called her over and told her about the bathroom toilet.
When we left I made Mudcat stop at the nearest gas station. Aren't you glad I share these things?
5/25 - Whole Foods, Beachwood
This gig was pretty uneventful other than seeing our cutie little guitar boy. His mom and dad showed up at just about every gig during the winter and he was always dressed like a miniature Elmer Fudd, but with his blankie....just way too cute.
Anyway, one day along with his EF get up and his blankie he had a red guitar. We tried to get him to play something but he was having no part of it. According to his parents, he could do a mean "Muffin Man".
Hadn't seen them all since the winter months, just the mom breezing through, but Friday they were all there, with blankie but no guitar. He was still just as cute.
East side Chuck was back in action, spinning his date around the salad bar. Can't remember which song we were doing, but he was actually a good dancer. After the song ended, he was teaching another guy his dance moves, which was way more entertaining to watch than his dancing with the girlfriend.
Anyway, one day along with his EF get up and his blankie he had a red guitar. We tried to get him to play something but he was having no part of it. According to his parents, he could do a mean "Muffin Man".
Hadn't seen them all since the winter months, just the mom breezing through, but Friday they were all there, with blankie but no guitar. He was still just as cute.
East side Chuck was back in action, spinning his date around the salad bar. Can't remember which song we were doing, but he was actually a good dancer. After the song ended, he was teaching another guy his dance moves, which was way more entertaining to watch than his dancing with the girlfriend.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
5/5 - Fat Little Buddies
I apologize for having neglected the blog (again), but the only thing that really stands out in my mind from all those blogless gigs is the guy in a Tony the Tiger suit at The Wine Bar. No, not like a costume type of suit, but like a man's suit made from fabric that looked like Tony the Tiger. He had the whole ensemble topped off with a black fedora. And somehow, he was able to pull off the look. Definitely sent out the message that he's a guy who likes to have fun.
Okay, moving on to this gig. We had to be inside, but got to play on the stage ~ pretty fun! The stage was actually pretty cool, they had it set up like a living room with a giant Oriental rug, a couch, a fire place and a huge tv. Plus there was a row of old theater seats along one wall. Tons of space, so we got to have some elbow room for a change.
There was an older gentleman who could barely walk, he had to hold on to the backs of the chairs as he went, but he made his was to the back room where we were and sat down and started jamming. He was just too cute. Then some girl comes in all by her own self, gets up on the dance floor, raises her arms up and yells out like she's at a rock concert that we're awesome (thank you for that, by the way) and then proceeds to dance all by her own self, which I've done, but there were no other people on the dance floor with her. So, the old man comes up to her with this big smile on his face and they become the perfect dance couple. It was just way too great. That girl (but not Marlo Thomas) made his night. Of course she had to switch to slow dancing, but she didn't seem to mind.
And Jake was our celebrity for the night when some guy comes in on the last song and is jammin' away, then he gets this "hey, I know you" look on his face and comes up to the stage. When we were done, he told Jake that he recognized him from the King of the Blues last year. So, they kibitzed and caught up.
Oh yeah, and it was the super moon. I had to sneak out before we started and during the break to catch a glimpse. There's just something about a full moon.
Okay, moving on to this gig. We had to be inside, but got to play on the stage ~ pretty fun! The stage was actually pretty cool, they had it set up like a living room with a giant Oriental rug, a couch, a fire place and a huge tv. Plus there was a row of old theater seats along one wall. Tons of space, so we got to have some elbow room for a change.
There was an older gentleman who could barely walk, he had to hold on to the backs of the chairs as he went, but he made his was to the back room where we were and sat down and started jamming. He was just too cute. Then some girl comes in all by her own self, gets up on the dance floor, raises her arms up and yells out like she's at a rock concert that we're awesome (thank you for that, by the way) and then proceeds to dance all by her own self, which I've done, but there were no other people on the dance floor with her. So, the old man comes up to her with this big smile on his face and they become the perfect dance couple. It was just way too great. That girl (but not Marlo Thomas) made his night. Of course she had to switch to slow dancing, but she didn't seem to mind.
And Jake was our celebrity for the night when some guy comes in on the last song and is jammin' away, then he gets this "hey, I know you" look on his face and comes up to the stage. When we were done, he told Jake that he recognized him from the King of the Blues last year. So, they kibitzed and caught up.
Oh yeah, and it was the super moon. I had to sneak out before we started and during the break to catch a glimpse. There's just something about a full moon.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
2/4 - Park Tavern
Welcome home, Big Rig Bernie! Nice to see you and Betty.
This was our Park Tavern debut. We were well received, so hopefully we'll be playing back there again. And we had fun too.
Not nearly as much fun as the chick who was drinking some blue liquid in a giant glass. She made her own dance floor and also made her designated driver wait...and wait....and wait. But with her being there, Big Rig Bernie got to hear Bobby McGee twice.
And Jake was still on a roll from the night before. He was crazy good!
This was our Park Tavern debut. We were well received, so hopefully we'll be playing back there again. And we had fun too.
Not nearly as much fun as the chick who was drinking some blue liquid in a giant glass. She made her own dance floor and also made her designated driver wait...and wait....and wait. But with her being there, Big Rig Bernie got to hear Bobby McGee twice.
And Jake was still on a roll from the night before. He was crazy good!
2/3 - Cabanas
Jake was on FIRE!
Mudcat and I have never heard him play like that. Especially his solo during The Thrill is Gone. All I could think while he was playing was that I want to send the recording of that song to B.B. King. Honest.
That's pretty much all I can remember about this gig. Everything else took a backseat to Jake's playing. I'm telling you ~ ON FIRE.
Mudcat and I have never heard him play like that. Especially his solo during The Thrill is Gone. All I could think while he was playing was that I want to send the recording of that song to B.B. King. Honest.
That's pretty much all I can remember about this gig. Everything else took a backseat to Jake's playing. I'm telling you ~ ON FIRE.
1/27 - Whole Foods, University Hts.
Once again, we were squeezed out by the juice weasel. No stage for you!
I think they might be having us do a progressive breakfast....last time we were in the eggs, this time we were by the ham. I felt a little devilish as we went into the black forest of Virginia with the scent of maple in the air and the chip chopped waves crashing like spiral slices peppered with honey. I crack my own self up!
It ended up being a pretty good location, actually better than the stage.
Poor Mudcat was having technical difficulty, but he's a trooper and rose above the troubles.
On a more positive note ~ our friend, Eileen was there and I got to talk with Pete and Sharon after the gig. Haven't seen either of them in about a hundred years.
All in all, it was a pretty good gig.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!
I think they might be having us do a progressive breakfast....last time we were in the eggs, this time we were by the ham. I felt a little devilish as we went into the black forest of Virginia with the scent of maple in the air and the chip chopped waves crashing like spiral slices peppered with honey. I crack my own self up!
It ended up being a pretty good location, actually better than the stage.
Poor Mudcat was having technical difficulty, but he's a trooper and rose above the troubles.
On a more positive note ~ our friend, Eileen was there and I got to talk with Pete and Sharon after the gig. Haven't seen either of them in about a hundred years.
All in all, it was a pretty good gig.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!
1/21 - Solon Freeway Lounge
This is our bowling alley gig, even though we're not playing in the actual alley part....pretty sure the bowlers might take issue with that, but I'm thinkin' it would be an interesting combination of dodge ball and bowling. I hated dodge ball. Has it been outlawed yet? But I digress. I'll wait right here while you find your shocked face.
We had gobs of room and there were some tiny dancers. Sort of impatient ones at that. They were standing and waiting and giving us the miniature hairy eyeball because we were still in the setting up stage and not in the playing stage, which apparently they thought happened auto-magically. It doesn't.
After the tiny dancers went home to bed and the big girl dancers got liquored up, there was quite a party. The boyfriend of one of the girls did his obligatory dance with her, which consisted of him standing in one place and letting her dance around him.
And you know how street shoes are not to be worn on the alley, which is why we have to wear rented shoes that 45,000 other people have put their sweaty feet into....well, apparently it's okay if you wear the bowling shoes outside to have a smoke and then come back onto the alley. Apparently the thing that matters is the shoes themselves and not the content of their souls. Hmmm...I know some girls like that.
We had gobs of room and there were some tiny dancers. Sort of impatient ones at that. They were standing and waiting and giving us the miniature hairy eyeball because we were still in the setting up stage and not in the playing stage, which apparently they thought happened auto-magically. It doesn't.
After the tiny dancers went home to bed and the big girl dancers got liquored up, there was quite a party. The boyfriend of one of the girls did his obligatory dance with her, which consisted of him standing in one place and letting her dance around him.
And you know how street shoes are not to be worn on the alley, which is why we have to wear rented shoes that 45,000 other people have put their sweaty feet into....well, apparently it's okay if you wear the bowling shoes outside to have a smoke and then come back onto the alley. Apparently the thing that matters is the shoes themselves and not the content of their souls. Hmmm...I know some girls like that.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
1/20 - Whole Foods, Beachwood
Do they just grow the kids cute in Beachwood or what?
It started with this little boy who saw us setting up and launched into his Lala Song. The tune was pretty nondescript (although according to his mother it was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star), but the lyrics were amazing. They went like this:
lalalalalalalallalalalalala -breath- lalalalalalalalalalalalala - breath- lalalalalalalalalala.
And then there was the second verse, same as the first, but not Henry The Eighth. His song got stuck in our heads and even Mudcat was singing it while we were finishing with setting up, but Mud sang it about 45 octaves lower.
Then there was the little girl who was rockin' out. You know the head shake from the wee ones who don't want to try those pureed peas or carrots? Well, imagine that head shake to music. Her mother must have thought that her little darling was becoming dehydrated, so she gave her some water. The little girl resumed her rockin' out, but apparently was able to hold that water in her mouth, because as our song ended and her mom was trying to get her to clap the most perfect fountain arc spewed from that kid's mouth directly onto her mom's dry clean only sweater. It was great.
It started with this little boy who saw us setting up and launched into his Lala Song. The tune was pretty nondescript (although according to his mother it was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star), but the lyrics were amazing. They went like this:
lalalalalalalallalalalalala -breath- lalalalalalalalalalalalala - breath- lalalalalalalalalala.
And then there was the second verse, same as the first, but not Henry The Eighth. His song got stuck in our heads and even Mudcat was singing it while we were finishing with setting up, but Mud sang it about 45 octaves lower.
Then there was the little girl who was rockin' out. You know the head shake from the wee ones who don't want to try those pureed peas or carrots? Well, imagine that head shake to music. Her mother must have thought that her little darling was becoming dehydrated, so she gave her some water. The little girl resumed her rockin' out, but apparently was able to hold that water in her mouth, because as our song ended and her mom was trying to get her to clap the most perfect fountain arc spewed from that kid's mouth directly onto her mom's dry clean only sweater. It was great.
1/7 - Rudy's Bar and Grill
Always a fun gig at Rudy's and this time Rudy his own self was there for most of the evening. Let's just say that Rudy knows how to get a party started and to keep it going. Pretty sure most of that training came at a fraternity.
Some of the guys were playing pool...shooting pool....which one is it? I don't know, but what I do know is that the cue ball is supposed to remain on the table, unless of course it's scratched. And that would be scratched as in dropped in the pocket, not scratched as in having a less than pristine surface. The cue ball made contact with the floor quite a bit that night.
And I was so glad to see that their cook wore a t-shirt other than the one that must be his favorite that reads "ankle rests" with arrows pointing to the shoulders. Doesn't get much more classy than that, does it ladies?
Some of the guys were playing pool...shooting pool....which one is it? I don't know, but what I do know is that the cue ball is supposed to remain on the table, unless of course it's scratched. And that would be scratched as in dropped in the pocket, not scratched as in having a less than pristine surface. The cue ball made contact with the floor quite a bit that night.
And I was so glad to see that their cook wore a t-shirt other than the one that must be his favorite that reads "ankle rests" with arrows pointing to the shoulders. Doesn't get much more classy than that, does it ladies?
1/6/12 - Cabana's
Our first gig of the new year!
Here's the deal ~ I've slept since the last blog entry from the gig in October, so let's just say that a good time was had by all and that's a wrap up of the gigs ending out 2011.
Now, back to our first gig of 2012. We had quite the crowd, which was somewhat surprising. Figured everyone would have been partied out, but apparently Mentor is a happening place to live and/or hang out.
My new friend Pat told me that she and a couple of her girlfriends came in to have one drink and then move on, but they liked everything we were playing, so they stayed. And it's a good thing they did, otherwise Mr. Casual-Dressy (he kept his maiden name) with the silky t-shirt, creased flood pants over shiny penny loafers (less the pennies), and leather jacket to top off the all black ensemble would have had no one to hit on, because all the other girls were there with their men.
Not sure if he really like what we were playing too or if he just didn't want to leave alone and held out the hope that the woman of his dreams would walk in just before closing, because he stayed for the duration after Pat and her friends left without him. And no, the woman of his dreams did not walk in just before closing. Mr. Casual-Dressy left alone.
Here's the deal ~ I've slept since the last blog entry from the gig in October, so let's just say that a good time was had by all and that's a wrap up of the gigs ending out 2011.
Now, back to our first gig of 2012. We had quite the crowd, which was somewhat surprising. Figured everyone would have been partied out, but apparently Mentor is a happening place to live and/or hang out.
My new friend Pat told me that she and a couple of her girlfriends came in to have one drink and then move on, but they liked everything we were playing, so they stayed. And it's a good thing they did, otherwise Mr. Casual-Dressy (he kept his maiden name) with the silky t-shirt, creased flood pants over shiny penny loafers (less the pennies), and leather jacket to top off the all black ensemble would have had no one to hit on, because all the other girls were there with their men.
Not sure if he really like what we were playing too or if he just didn't want to leave alone and held out the hope that the woman of his dreams would walk in just before closing, because he stayed for the duration after Pat and her friends left without him. And no, the woman of his dreams did not walk in just before closing. Mr. Casual-Dressy left alone.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
10/28 - Whole Foods, Beachwood
This was our Halloween gig, but SOMEBODY, who will remain nameless, JAKE chose to not wear a costume this year. He did not get the thumbs up from his "old girlfriend" like Mudcat and I did for our costumes. Mud was a surgeon, I was a cowgirl. Did I mention that Jake didn't dress up this year?
Mandy looked adorable as a flapper, but she looks adorable even when she's not in costume.
Some of the kids were dressed up, mostly of the princess and witch variety, East Side Chuck was not dressed up this year either and he was a little too busy enjoying his date to pay any attention to us.
Jim and Paula were there....also NOT in costume and Paula had been over the moon about dressing up when we had talked about it at the previous WF gig. I have a feeling there was a compromise involved.
Tony was his cheerful self. It's always a pleasure to talk with him.
A super duper cute little boy was there with mom and dad in tow, sporting his red guitar. "Do You Know the Muffin Man" is the extent of his songlist so far, but it's a song that Mudcat didn't know. Perhaps we'll add it to our repertoire. Perhaps not.
Mandy looked adorable as a flapper, but she looks adorable even when she's not in costume.
Some of the kids were dressed up, mostly of the princess and witch variety, East Side Chuck was not dressed up this year either and he was a little too busy enjoying his date to pay any attention to us.
Jim and Paula were there....also NOT in costume and Paula had been over the moon about dressing up when we had talked about it at the previous WF gig. I have a feeling there was a compromise involved.
Tony was his cheerful self. It's always a pleasure to talk with him.
A super duper cute little boy was there with mom and dad in tow, sporting his red guitar. "Do You Know the Muffin Man" is the extent of his songlist so far, but it's a song that Mudcat didn't know. Perhaps we'll add it to our repertoire. Perhaps not.
10/22 - Stop 45
It's not the old hole in the wall joint, it's across the street. Same name, different set up.
It's a wine bar with a train theme going on with an actual working model that goes around the room on a shelf up by the ceiling. Unfortunately, it wasn't running....guess I could have asked Tom to turn it on for us, but I didn't. They also have the obligatory wine theme as well.
Interesting combination.
As we're bringing in the equipment and looking at our little corner of the world for the evening, discussing what could go where, one of the patrons comes up to us tells us to have a seat and stick around, because the band will be starting soon. Good to know. And then he left.
During the middle-ish, everyone got their checks at the same time and then did a mass exodus. That was not a good thing, playing to an empty place, but we kept going and soon enough, second shift came in.
We didn't eat there, but the pizzas that were coming out of the kitch parading by us on their way to the tables looked pretty tasty.
It's a wine bar with a train theme going on with an actual working model that goes around the room on a shelf up by the ceiling. Unfortunately, it wasn't running....guess I could have asked Tom to turn it on for us, but I didn't. They also have the obligatory wine theme as well.
Interesting combination.
As we're bringing in the equipment and looking at our little corner of the world for the evening, discussing what could go where, one of the patrons comes up to us tells us to have a seat and stick around, because the band will be starting soon. Good to know. And then he left.
During the middle-ish, everyone got their checks at the same time and then did a mass exodus. That was not a good thing, playing to an empty place, but we kept going and soon enough, second shift came in.
We didn't eat there, but the pizzas that were coming out of the kitch parading by us on their way to the tables looked pretty tasty.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
10/15 - Sammy K's Steakhouse
Our happy bar manager attributed their lack-o-peeps to Homecoming and to some other community activity, so we ended up doing just 1 set and called it a night.
At least the few people who were there were appreciative. That's always a plus.
10/14 - Cabana's
This was an odd weather night. On the way there, we saw a rainbow. Not so odd, but stay with me. Following the rainbow and in a short amount of time, we got rain, thunder, lightning, and hail. No pot of gold, just weather.
We met some nice people who chitted and chatted with me before we started. The guy's brother is in a band and does benefit shows. And I've slept since then, so can't remember the name of the guy or his band.
A couple of girls did some dancing and they stayed for the duration. Not so sure if they ended up staying because they were enjoying our music, or if they were just waiting out the weather. Let's go with both.
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